REVIEW: Lower Dens “Escape From Evil”

The Baltimore band slathers its latest record with a thick layer of late 80’s influences, including The Cure, Depeche Mode, and Joshua Tree-era U2. The whole thing sounds appropriately gorgeous, thanks to a glossy production by Chris Coady and lead singer/songwriter Jana Hunter.

Hunter is truly a one-woman opera, transitioning from mopey Robert Smith territory to Bono-esque heroics with ease. Her versatile and haunting voice ultimately helps Escape from Evil rise above some of the more regrettable 80s throwback artists. The band is top-notch as well, providing accompaniment for Hunter’s complex melodies. These are the sort of melodies that take a few listens to unfold, but afterwards you’ll be unable to shake them.

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From the jaunty synth line of “To Die in L.A.” to the droning beat of “Company,” the entire record warrants multiple listens. Upon “unpacking” this record, even more bits and pieces of musical ideas reveal themselves. “Non Grata” contains a hint of the world-music obsession that would come to define Talking Heads. It’s kind of impossible to talk about Lower Dens without mentioning other bands (also, this is how I communicate with people). But this doesn’t make them derivative. Not necessarily.

Rather, Lower Dens capture the feel of the late 80s perfectly, while contributing enough new blood to make things interesting. If nothing else, you may find yourself digging up your old copy of The Cure’s Disintegration, which is never a bad thing.

Jordan Posner is a writer, musician, attorney, rock music fan, wine enthusiast, American history buff and dog lover. He is originally from Centerville, Ohio and went to school at The Ohio State University and Loyola University Chicago. Here is a list of more things about him:

1. Jordan currently lives in Chicago with his girlfriend and dog, both adorable.
2. His favorite bands of all time include Husker Du, R.E.M, Ween, Pink Floyd and Guided by Voices
3. His favorite U.S. President is either Theodore Roosevelt or Lyndon Johnson (domestic policy only).
4. His favorite song very well might be “Nightswimming” by R.E.M.
5. He currently sells wine, unless you can offer him a better job.

Check him out on Twitter, because he usually says a lot of funny things : @FlackSabbath

You can email him your thoughts on 1980’s American hardcore music. Or just skip right to the death threats: jordan@rocknuts.net.